MONROVIA – Millions of United States dollars have been allocated to road maintenance, major highway rehabilitation and the procurement of heavy-duty road equipment under the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Contracts have been awarded, financial commitments announced, machinery procured and ambitious road projects unveiled. Yet, across parts of Liberia, particularly in the Southeast, the condition of critical roads continues to raise serious questions about the management, expenditure and results of public road funding.
As motorists remain stranded, businesses struggle to move goods, farmers face difficulties transporting produce and communities endure worsening transportation challenges, an important question confronts the government: Where is the impact of the millions of dollars allocated to improve Liberia’s roads?
In the coming days, our investigative Team will publish a series of investigative reports examining the millions committed to road maintenance and rehabilitation, the contractors awarded public works contracts, the procurement of Yellow Machines, the implementation of major highway projects and audit findings that demand further explanation.
The investigation will examine the reported US$22.3 million in road-maintenance contracts announced as part of the government’s 100-Day Deliverables, the approximately US$21 million Yellow Machines procurement, the US$63 million RETRAP II road project and separate General Auditing Commission findings involving the South-Eastern Corridor Road Management Project.
The series will go beyond government announcements and contract-signing ceremonies. It will examine what was budgeted, what was contracted, what was actually disbursed, what was delivered, which companies benefited and whether the projects are producing measurable improvements for ordinary Liberians.
It will also seek explanations from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, relevant contractors and other institutions responsible for managing and monitoring public resources.
This is not an attempt to presume guilt or accuse individuals without evidence. It is an effort to follow the money, examine the official records, compare government commitments with conditions on the ground and demand answers where public accountability requires them.
When millions are committed to building and maintaining roads, the Liberian people deserve more than announcements and promises. They deserve to see the roads, the equipment and the results.
LIBERIA’S ROAD MONEY UNDER SCRUTINY — THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS.
